The California Questionnaire: Freddie Rodriguez

The cycling legend shares his favorite places to ride and kick back in the Bay Area and beyond

Four-time U.S. National Road Race Champion Freddie Rodriguez (aka Fast Freddie) rode in the Amgen Tour of California eight times and the Tour de France seven times during his 20-year cycling career. Nowadays, the retired pro, husband, father, and Amgen Tour of California ambassador keeps busy with his cycling apparel company (Fast Freddie Apparel), his foundation to inspire underprivileged kids through cycling (Fast Freddie Foundation), and his cycling club. We asked Rodriguez about his favorite things in California and he shared his thoughts below.

Why there? I grew up in L.A. and Whittier, California. One of my best friends through racing, George Hincapie, had moved to North Carolina, which is where I met my wife. She was going to University of California, Berkeley. I fell in love with the culture and the diversity and the riding and the food. Basically, I was chasing love.

Who or what is your greatest California love? My wife Annie brought me back to California and exposed me to the Bay Area, which is so beautiful—we have the oak trees, diversity, food, weather, you name it. Here is what love is.

What is the biggest misperception about Californians? Through Hollywood we get the misperception that it’s all glitz and glamour. But really, it’s down to earth and simple. We tend to want to be more about culture and lifestyle than you would perceive through Hollywood.

What is the stereotype that most holds true? That we’re outdoorsy.

What is your favorite Golden State splurge?Peet’s Coffee. It started here in California with the grandfathers of coffee culture, and every time I get a chance, I go and get a nice deep-roasted coffee.

Time for a road trip—where are you going?Truckee. It’s the perfect blend of small town with everything you need from food to the outdoors, whether you’re going for winter skiing or summer bike riding and canoeing. The outdoors is what they’re all about, with a great community of people.

If you could decree an official state culinary experience, what would it be? To try everything. That’s the beauty of California—we have so many different experiences. We have a culinary experience in Emeryville [Public Market Emeryville] that started out as little pop-up food carts and it’s turned into a gourmet ghetto of really nice restaurants from brewpubs to Latin to ramen to sushi to Italian pizza. Basically you walk into that place and you can pick any style.

How do you define California style? Diverse, multicultural, and a little bit of everything.

Best California song? From when I was younger, remember the show The O.C.? “California” by Phantom Planet has always stuck with me.

How would your California dream day unfold? Planning a family day. It’s a Sunday, with nothing else going on, and I get on my bike and the family packs up the car. I would ride through San Francisco, across the Golden Gate Bridge, down through Sausalito, hit Highway 1, and enjoy the climb up Mount Tamalpais and drop into Stinson Beach to meet them. We’d play a pickup game with soccer balls, I’d surf with my son, and end with a beer watching the sunset.

A crimson bridge, cable cars, a sparkling bay, and streets lined with elegant Victorian homes—San Francisco is undeniably one of the world’s great cities. Located along the Northern California at the state’s distinctive bend in the coast, the region has an alluring magic that stretches beyond the bay to diverse cities with nightlife and trend-setting cuisine.

"I left my heart in San Francisco, High on a hill, it calls to me." —singer Tony Bennett

The Bay Area is also home to some of the world’s finest wine country, including Napa Valley and Sonoma, plus waterfront towns, dramatic beaches, and the tech-savvy southern end of the bay known as the Silicon Valley, where lunchtime ideas at Google, Facebook, and Apple, turn into the next brilliant innovation.

It's simply a very romantic place. Just one look at any of those streets, and you couldn't be anywhere else -- it's so beautiful, and there's that location, and the sense of the free spirit. ... Who couldn't become ravenous in such a place?

San Francisco Bay Loop

With towers soaring 746 feet/227 meters into the sky, its span arcing across the mouth of San Francisco Bay, and all of it painted fire-engine red, the iconic Golden Gate Bridge makes a dramatic destination.

Famous for grand-dame Victorians, classic cable cars, dynamic diversity, trend-defining, Michelin-starred cuisine, a beautiful waterfront, and a soaring crimson bridge, San Francisco, aka the “City by the Bay”, truly has it all and stands...

Regions

Pick a region form the map or the list below to explore.

Regions

Scroll down to explore the twelve regions of California.

1. Shasta Cascade

This region, in California’s northeast corner, is known for mountains, forests, waterfalls, and amazing, safe-to-visit volcanoes. The region, a 3-hour drive north of Sacramento, gets its name from the rugged Cascade Mountains and their signature peak in state, 14,180-foot/4,322-meter Mount Shasta—yes, a volcano.

Highlights

2. North Coast

With crashing waves along the coast and soaring redwood trees blanketing miles of uncrowded parkland, this is one of California’s most spectacular regions. The largest city, Eureka, is roughly a 5-hour drive north of San Francisco—but what a drive: see lush wine country, charming hamlets, spouting whales, and breathtaking sunsets.

Highlights

3. Gold Country

The western foothills of the Sierra Nevada Range, defining California’s eastern border, are known as the Gold Country, named after the rich Mother Lode discovered here in the mid-1850s. While gold is still found in the region, new riches include top museums and art in Sacramento, the state capital, plus whitewater rafting, tucked-away towns, farm-fresh dining, and award-winning wines.

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4. San Francisco Bay Area

On the western oceanfront of Northern California, at the state’s distinctive bend along the coast, lies this breathtaking region. It’s framed by an unforgettable gateway—the iconic Golden Gate Bridge—spanning the mouth of San Francisco Bay. Explore diverse cities, picturesque hamlets, family-friendly beaches, coastal parklands, and wine country, including Napa and Sonoma wine country, 1½ hours north of San Francisco.

5. High Sierra

Nicknamed “California’s backbone,” this region of towering granite peaks defines much of the state’s eastern boundary. Visit Yosemite Valley, Lake Tahoe, Mammoth Lakes, and the giant trees of Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks—all within a day’s drive of either San Francisco or L.A. In winter, enjoy snow sports; in summer, go hiking, mountain biking, fishing, or boating.

6. Central Valley

Running right down the middle of California, this broad region contains some of most productive farmland in the world. Wine country around Lodi features big, bold reds. Further south, Fresno has a lively arts scene.

8. Deserts

This dramatic region takes up the southeastern half of the state. Remarkable desert parklands, including Death Valley, Joshua Tree, and Anza-Borrego, provide an extraordinary chance to explore, while the oasis-like allure of Palm Springs, 3 hours northeast of San Diego, offers sunny resort-style getaways, with golf, tennis, spas, and high-end shopping.

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9. Inland Empire

This densely populated Southern California region has surprising alpine getaways, like Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead, in the impressive San Bernardino Range. On the region’s sunny east side, explore the inviting Temecula Valley wine region. The university town of Riverside is the region’s largest city. San Bernardino, the second largest city, has museums and impressive shopping, while Fontana has NASCAR racing.

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10. Los Angeles County

This sunny region along the state’s southern coast is California’s most populated region, best known as the capital of the entertainment industry. Here, movie stars really do work in Hollywood, play in the surf at Malibu, and shop in Beverly Hills. Looping freeways make the car king, but the region also has a surprisingly good network of buses and light rail—a hassle-free way to explore.

11. Orange County

Tucked between San Diego and Los Angeles Counties, this region is known for flawless beaches and “the happiest place on earth,” Disneyland Resort. Anaheim, the theme park’s home, offers a surprisingly hip vibe in a refurbished downtown. Newport Beach has dazzling yachts, Huntington Beach has iconic surfing, and Costa Mesa beckons with top shopping.

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12. San Diego County

This sun-and-surf region is known for some of the best weather and warmest water in the state. San Diego, the state’s second largest city, is home to the San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park, one of the world’s great urban parks. For family fun, play at SeaWorld San Diego and LEGOLAND California. Inland, discover surprising mountain towns like Julian, known for orchards and apple pie.